Drag Icon Charles Busch Sings A 'Muppets' Classic On His New Album

The star will return to the cabaret stage on New Year's Eve.
Drag icon, actor and playwright Charles Busch is capping off 2016 with a new album and cabaret show.
Drag icon, actor and playwright Charles Busch is capping off 2016 with a new album and cabaret show.
Bobby Bank via Getty Images

Charles Busch put a heartfelt spin on “The Rainbow Connection” as part of his new live album, and The Huffington Post has an exclusive first listen.

The award-winning drag icon, actor and playwright tackled the song, which was introduced in 1979’s “The Muppet Movie,” as part of his June cabaret engagement at New York’s Feinstein’s/54 Below. That evening was captured for posterity on Busch’s album, “Live at Feinstein’s/54 Below,” which hits retailers Dec. 2.

Despite the 62-year-old’s extensive résumé comprising stage, screen and cabaret credits, this is his first album — and he couldn’t be more thrilled with the results.

“I can’t believe that I actually have a record out that I’m very, very proud of,” Busch told The Huffington Post. “I think it’s a very good representation of who I am, and where I am right now.”

Just weeks after the album’s release, Busch will return to the Feinstein’s/54 stage Below for a special New Year’s Eve performance. That show will feature much of the same material as the album, he said, along with a few additional surprises.

Busch told HuffPost that he’s aware that his show will cap off what’s been an incredibly difficult year for many, including those in the LGBTQ community, and as a result, he is planning to conclude the show on an optimistic, forward-thinking note.

“I would suspect that my audience tends to be on my political wavelength, but… you never know,” he said. “It’s not really a place for me to be pontificating. But, at the same time, New Year’s Eve is a very profound moment every year.”

Although Busch is tight-lipped on the specifics, he’d be remiss if he didn’t wear something fabulous in honor of the occasion, too. “Floating chiffon is good if you’re over 40,” he quipped.

Charles Busch’s “Live at Feinstein’s/54 Below” will be released Dec. 2. He returns to Feinstein’s/54 Below on New Year’s Eve. For more information, head here.

Busch releases his first live album on Dec. 2.
Busch releases his first live album on Dec. 2.
Broadway Records

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